The BGS corroded asset failure — ferrous map has been developed to help identify where underground iron assets such as pipes, cables and building foundations may be at risk of corrosion and failure due to ground instability resulting from landslides, soluble rocks, swelling clays, running sands and compressible and collapsible ground.

The dataset is available in both a summary and a detailed format. The summary map contains a GIS layer that indicates the potential for corroded assets to fail as a result of ground instability. The detailed map contains the summary map described above, plus additional information is provided to indicate which ground instability hazards may be present.

The map contains the following data:

corrosivity — indicates where assets may be corroded

landslides — indicates where assets may be damaged due to ground slippage

soluble rocks — indicates where assets may be damaged due to ground movement caused by dissolution of rock/washing out of fines

compressible ground — indicates where assets may be damaged where ground compresses

collapsible ground — indicates where assets may be damaged where ground may collapse

swelling clay — indicates where assets may be damaged due to the surrounding clay swelling and shrinking

running sands — indicates where assets may be damaged due to movement associated with running sands

This data is intended for asset managers who are responsible for assessing the condition of underground iron infrastructure. In particular, the data may assist water companies in locating leaks in the pipe network, prioritising maintenance and meeting leakage reduction targets in a cost-effective manner. The data may be useful at the desk-study stage for selecting pipeline routes or to identify appropriate construction materials.

A map entitled BGS pipe leakage impacts has been developed to complement this map and is available separately. It helps identify where leaking pipes may further initiate or worsen ground instability and can help the prioritisation of repair to avoid further damage to pipes and adjacent infrastructure.